Tyson Fury has defended his decision to face Mariusz Wach in front of just 1,500 fans in Pattaya, arguing that many modern sports stars believe they are too important for smaller events.
“Which other world champion on my level would perform in front of 1,500 in Pattaya?” Fury said. “Do you think David Beckham would play professional football here? No way.”
The 37-year-old former heavyweight champion will meet Wach on Friday in a fight that will not be broadcast live and will instead feature in the third series of Netflix’s At Home with the Furys.
Victory would keep Fury’s planned fight with Anthony Joshua alive, provided Joshua also defeats Kristian Prenga one day later. Despite that, Fury insisted he is focused only on Wach and has no interest in discussing Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk or Deontay Wilder.
Fury also claimed Wach presents a tougher test than Prenga and dismissed the suggestion that he is overlooking the 46-year-old Polish veteran.
The fight was arranged on three weeks’ notice, with Fury reportedly turning down more lucrative opportunities elsewhere. Ticket profits are expected to be donated to a local charity supporting disadvantaged children and students with disabilities.
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